SR & SR5 Tailgate damper/assist/anti-drop/strut install

If you're like me and have a poverty model Tacoma, then it likely didn't come with a damper/strut to slowly lower the tailgate. Here's a write up to help you out.

1) Order parts. These came from Toyota of Dothan for $132.



2)Remove drivers side tail light. Remove the two 10mm bolts. Then pull the taillight assembly away from the vehicle. (It pulls away the same direction the drivers door swings)





3) Thread the Stay Joint into the threaded hole behind the taillight. 12mm end wrench did the trick.



4) Remove tailgate. Google Tacoma tailgate removal. Very easy. The wiring is long enough to remove the tailgate and rest it upright in the middle of the bed (perpendicular to how it's normally attached) I had my wife hold it upright while I did the next step.

5)Remove drivers side tailgate hinge. Using the same bolts, replace with the new T/G end. T40 torque head is required to remove the bolts.





6)Reinstall tailgate. The new tailgate hinge is slotted. The drivers side of the tailgate fits into the new hinge. When reinstalling, be sure to align the hinge and tailgate so the tailgate slides into the slot in the hinge. The hinge is easy to turn to the correct angle.

7)Attach the Tailgate Support assembly(it's a strut). Feed the strut up thru the bottom of the truck. I found it easy to attach the bottom of the strut (the end with the rubber boot) to the hinge first. Then attach the top of the strut to the joint installed in step 3. You may have to close the tailgate then slowly open it to get the strut ends to line up. The ends just push onto the joints. It's pretty easy.





8) Test it. Should work like this...

https://youtube.com/shorts/wh3kmFcdvAg?si=wMGzr4cNoW-sJTZw

Last step) Reinstall the taillight and enjoy! You're one step closer to being one of the cool people...

 

While I already have the damper on my truck, this is pretty neat to see how it's setup!

 

Nice Job !! Thanks ! I have my parts in hand ... just waiting for a good day !!!

8) Test it. Should work like this...

https://youtube.com/shorts/wh3kmFcdvAg?si=wMGzr4cNoW-sJTZw

Last step) Reinstall the taillight and enjoy! You're one step closer to being one of the cool people...[/QUOTE]
Nice Job !!

 

Nice Job !![/QUOTE]

Cool! Hope this helps

 

Fellow poor here, can confirm this works to a T and it’s super easy to do. Hell, while I was in the taillight I routed an extended diff breather as well. You rock for putting a photo instruction up as I was too lazy.

Also looks like Dothan Toyota is doing 25% off sale on parts for the next few days so it might be even cheaper for those interested.

this mod is 10/10 recommended and really easy to do. Also if you finagle it properly you don’t even have to disconnect the tailgate wiring, just removing the plastic bracket that routes it through the back of the gate will give you enough room to lay the tailgate perpendicular in the bed

 

Thank you. You saved me a lots and lots of time. Getting my tools ready this weekend.

 

Received my parts last night, 15 min easy install this morning. Half of tailgate can lay in the bed metal side up and I used a chair back to hold up the other half.
The only issue I had was the tail light removal scraped off a little bit of the crappy thin Underground paint around the trucks light housing outer edge, thanks goodness I already had touch up paint.

 

Yeah. I understand the paint problem. Not a fan of the way they designed the light to pull out on this generation.

 

Thanks for posting this! Will be one of my next mods. Someone should do a youtube tutorial.

 

TACO-TY Did a great write up above. Pics, Parts needed, everything with pics. I've got my stuff in hand but just waiting for a nice day to install

 

I just had my 2017 SR totaled out. It was a fantastic beast with 242,000 miles on it and only had to do regular maintenance on it. I just bought a 2025 SR5 today but was shocked by no tailgate damper on it. My bare bones 2017 had it.
Glad I came across this post as I use the tailgate a lot. Currently shopping the parts and the cost will be about $175.00. I will update my reply once parts are installed.
Thanks!

 

Awesome! It's easy...Check Dothan Toyota they have sales all the time.

 

I think if you shop around you can do better on the OEM prices ... Congrats on your SR5 - Mine 's a lowly SR ...